Best Party Themes for Adults (Tons of Theme Ideas)

If you’re looking for great ideas for a themed party for adults, you’ve come to the right place! Sharing my own themed parties from my post-grad school days is actually what first led me to the idea of creating a blog – and here we are, over a decade later!

Best Party Themes for Adults

I have rounded up the very best list of party themes for adults. Themed parties aren’t just for the little ones! You’ll find some party themes that are a good fit for couples, some for girls and some for both! I hope these help give you some party ideas for upcoming adult birthdays, milestone birthdays, girls nights, get-togethers and more!

If you’re looking for just party ideas for the guys <– this list has some great ones!

I hope you’ll save and share this list (broken down by categories below) the next time you need a list of the best party themes for adults! Happy Party-Planning!

Party Themes Inspired by Food & Drink

Host a Wine Tasting Party

What’s better than enjoying appetizers and wine under the stars with your best friends? Wine tastings are a fabulous party theme idea for your best girl friends. There’s time to sit back, catch up, but you also have an “activity” to keep things exciting! See more of College Housewife’s Wine Tasting Party HERE!

Host a Beer Tasting Party

Yes, you can make a beer tasting party JUST as fabulous as the more popular wine tasting theme! Beer tasting is the perfect party theme party for couples or any mix of guys and girls. Select from a variety of beers, pick a color scheme, and set a fabulous tablescape! More ideas HERE!

Fondue Party

I love this retro party theme and think we should bring back Fondue Parties, don’t you?! This is the perfect party theme for cozy fall nights with friends! See more from Kitchen Confidante’s Fondue Party HERE!

Host a Scotch Tasting Party

Yes, we’ve covered beer and wine, but have you ever attended a scotch tasting party? I surprised my husband with a scotch bar at our wedding and let me tell you – it was the hit of the night. So if you’re looking for a bit more of a creative party theme than beer or wine, choose scotch (or whiskey… or bourbon… or tequila… you get the idea). More Scotch Tasting Party Ideas HERE!

High Tea

Yes, this one is a bit more suited for the girls, but tap into your inner Bridgerton-fan and fancy things up for a change! Host a “high tea” and yes, sip tea, wear your favorite fancy dress, eat a pretty scone and swap stories with your friends! Get all the details for this Tea Party Tablescape!

Host a New England Clam Bake

If you want a twist on the typical backyard BBQ theme, then host a New England Clam Bake! Sip rosé and enjoy your friends surrounded by a big table full of clam bake essentials: clams, lobsters, corn, potatoes! Let the food double as decor with a clam bake centerpiece runner. Delish! See more HERE!

Party Themes Inspired by Sports (Viewing Parties)

Masters Viewing Party

Hosting guys and girls? Pick a theme like The Masters or The Kentucky Derby (more on that below) because you’ll have an instant signature cocktail ideas (spiked Arnold Palmers) and the food menu will be DELISH (think the famous Green Jacket Salad, Pimento Cheese Ball, Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs). Get more ideas for your Masters Viewing Party!

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party

Yep, another fabulous party theme for adults – the Kentucky Derby! Serve up a punch bowl of my favorite mint julep punch on silver platters or set up a ‘make your own mint julep’ bar! Dress code? Dresses and Derby Hats, of course! Check out more Kentucky Derby ideas here!

Host an Olympics Viewing Party

Go for the GOLD! While this theme doesn’t work every year, it’s still a great one if the timing lines up! Hostess Tip: Assign each guest a different country and encourage them to bring an appetizer or dessert from that country! More tips on an Olympics Viewing Party HERE!

Party Themes Inspired by Celebrations/Occasions

Mardi Gras Party

A classic party theme, a Mardi Gras party is most definitely a good time! Let the good times roll, right? Serve up Hurricanes to drink and classic New Orleans favorites to eat! Be sure to order lots of Mardi Gras beads to decorate and wear. Find more Mardi Gras party tips here!

Oscars/Golden Globes/Award Show Viewing Parties

Award shows are much more fun with friends! Make your own Oscars Bingo printables, pop the popcorn and enjoy the show!

More Party Themes…

• Cinco de Mayo Party
• Taco Tuesday Party
• April Fool’s Party

Party Themes Inspired by Cultures/Cuisines

Italian Dinner Party

Host a “Taste of Tuscany” Italian Themed Dinner Party! Have each guest bring a different course of their favorite Italian dishes.

Throw an English Pub Party

The perfect party theme if you love all things British! Serve up fish & chips, British candy bars, pint glasses of beer! See more from this English Pub Party here!

Host a Mexican Fiesta

Sip on coconut grapefruit margaritas and host a Mexican themed party! Create a crowd-pleasing Steak Fajitas Board for the perfect Mexican-inspired dinner!

Hawaiian Luau

Whip up the famous Hawaiian Mai Tai and throw a Luau themed party! Buy Hawaiian leis to pass out! Decorate with lots of palm trees and Hawaiian flowers! Image above from Catch My Party!

Party Themes Inspired by Movies/TV/Books

James Bond Party

Shaken, not Stirred! Invite guests to “dress to kill” for this fun party theme! A color palette of gold and black with pops of red is perfect for a 007 themed party! See more of this James Bond tablescape here!

Great Gatsby Party

Encourage your party guests to wear flapper dresses and throw a 1920s party with a Great Gatsby Party theme! This is such an epic theme! Gold and black with pops of silver makes quite the statement for this fabulous party theme! See more of this party here!

Mad Men Party

If you love AMC’s Mad Men, throw a 1960s-1970s retro party complete with lots of – cocktails! See more from this Mad Men party here!

Below are even more adult theme parties inspired by books, movies and TV!

• Game of Thrones Party
• Caddyshack Party
• Sopranos Party
• Harry Potter Party
• Friends Party
• The Office Party
• Star Wars Party
• Lord of the Rings Party
• Indiana Jones Party

Even More Adult Party Themes

Casino Night Party

Host a Poker Night Party or go all-out with a full Casino Party theme! Game nights are always a blast! Check out more from this Casino Night Party hosted by my friend Mariah Leeson HERE!

Host an Outdoor Movie Night Party

Set up an outdoor movie night in your backyard! String lights, comfy pillows, delicious food…this party theme idea is such a fun one! Learn more from Sugar & Charm here!

Flower Arranging Party

If you want a party theme that doubles as the activity and the favor, flower arranging is such a fun one! Grab your girlfriends for a girls night, make some champagne punch and set up a build your own flower bouquet table! This is a great party theme for a bridal shower or birthday. See more from this Flower Arranging Party by It Girl Weddings here!

Throw a Rooftop BBQ Party

Blow up the inflatables and fire up the grill! Whether you’re throwing one last summer hoorah or kicking off the warm weather season, a BBQ Party is always a favorite party theme for adults! More from this fabulous summer BBQ party here!

A Favorite Things Party

Ask each guest to bring one of their very favorite things (and enough for each party guest). Everyone leaves with one of everything! This is the best way to discover new fave finds too! See more HERE!

Holiday Themed Party: Adult’s Gingerbread House Party

Holiday season? The kids don’t get to have ALL the fun. Make gingerbread martinis and host an adult gingerbread house party! It’s a great way combine a typical holiday party with a fun activity that lets your party guests leave with a pretty gingerbread house. See the details and more tips here!

Picnic Theme

Whether it’s at the park, beach, lakeside or even your own backyard, hosting a picnic party is such a perfect party theme! Bring all the fixings for a charcuterie board and enjoy! See more from Darling Down South’s Picnic Here!

Tropical Game Night

Host a game night, but make it TROPICAL! This is such a fun theme. Use pineapples as vases, whip up a Bay Breeze or a Mai Tai cocktail and play everything from Bunco to Bingo! Party games are perfect around a tropical tablescape. More details on this tropical game night here!

Let’s Flamingle

Break out ALL the flamingo-themed decor this party theme that’s perfect for a birthday party, bachelorette party or just a summer soiree! Be sure to serve up this Flamingo Punch Cocktail! See more HERE!

Here are even more party themes for adults…

• Pirate Party
• Spy Party
• Pool Party
• Murder Mystery Party
• Neon/Glow Party
• Toga Party
• Decade Parties (20s party, 30s party, 40s party, 50s party, 60s party, 70s party, 80s party, Sock-Hop party, Throwback 90s party)
• Spa Party
• Rock Star
• Bollywood Party
• Masquerade Ball
• Karaoke Party

The next time you’re throwing a party, milestone birthday party, or just want a fun theme idea, bookmark this list of best party themes for adults!